God Loves the Cities
8
Wednesday
August 18
Part 4
"Some of them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when
CENTERS OF
they were come to Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the
MISSION
Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great
number believed, and turned unto the Lord" (Acts 11:20, 21).
Known as "Antioch the beautiful," this center of commerce,
art, and culture, capital of Syria, and third city in the Roman Em-
pire, was a meeting point for many nationalities and ethnic
groups. It was also a center of many religious cults in the ancient
world and at the same time was full of corruption and immorality.
How did the church in Antioch begin, grow, and develop as a
center of missionary outreach? Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3.
Like most of the churches of the first century, the one in Anti-
och was founded by laymen. It was a "mixed church," consisting
of different nationalities and races, Jews and non-Jews, lower-
class and high-class people. The church was a reflection of the
diversity and pluralism of this cosmopolitan city. This, really,
became the basis for another important aspect of this big-city
church; it became the center of missionary outreach into all the
world. Here the apostle Paul received his training and preparation
for mission service. Finally, church growth in the city of Anti-
och centered in "preaching the Lord Jesus" (Acts 11:20).
What lessons can we learn from the methods of church growth in
the city of Antioch? (Reexamine Acts 11:22-30; 13:1-3.)
First, the work not only centered in
preaching
the Lord Je-
sus; the believers also
lived
Jesus Christ. He was the Center of
their whole life, thought, actions, and conversation. No wonder
that it was in Antioch where the followers of Christ were first
called Christians. People hearing and seeing them saw Christ.
Second, the church continued as a
lay movement.
The role of
apostles and pastors such as Barnabas and Paul was to assist the
members in their role as ministers of Jesus Christ in the city (Eph.
4:11,12). Third, ministry was carried out as
teamwork,
with
prophets, pastors, teachers, administrators, relief workers, and
evangelists working together. Fourth, the believers lived in the
city where people could hear and observe them in their daily life
and vocation. Even leaders such as Barnabas and Paul joined the
believers and lived with them in the city. Fifth, the church was
liberal in giving, with a deep concern for people other than their
own. Sixth, it was a missionary church, a home base and a train-
ing school for missionaries. Finally, all ministry was rooted in
the work of the Holy Spirit.
Further Study:
The Acts of the Apostles,
pp. 159-165.
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